New Study Suggests Chemotherapy Drug Can Improve Survival Rates for Cervical Cancer Patients
A groundbreaking study presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology suggests that the addition of an already-approved chemotherapy drug to the standard treatment for cervical cancer could significantly improve survival rates.
The study, which followed 500 patients with locally advanced cervical cancer, found that the group who received combination therapy with an induction dose of chemotherapy before each session of chemoradiation had a higher survival rate compared to those who received the current gold standard treatment of chemoradiation alone.
After five years, 80% of the patients who received the additional chemotherapy were still alive, whereas only 72% of those who received the standard treatment survived. These findings highlight the potential benefits of the new treatment strategy.
Although both treatment groups experienced side effects associated with cancer treatments, the researchers believe that the early pre-dose of chemotherapy combined with the standard chemo and radiation regimen should become the new standard of care.
Dr. Darien Sutton, ABC News’ medical correspondent, emphasized the importance of early screening and prevention for cervical cancer. He highlighted the role of vaccination against the Human papillomavirus (HPV) as a crucial preventive measure.
“The most effective way to prevent this type of cancer is through HPV vaccination, which theoretically provides protection against the virus that causes it,” Sutton explained during an interview on “GMA” Tuesday. “Getting vaccinated at an early age is key to preventing this cancer.”
